Monday, July 28, 2014
The Challenges of Life
Nine months ago I broke my leg. I was told it would take a year to get back to normal. This has been the biggest physical challenge I've ever had. When I landed on the ground, my first thought was: "I don't know what I just did to myself, but I know God is going to work through this." That is what a lot of challenges throughout my life have come to be about. For many years, I didn't see them that way. I saw them as "problems" rather than "growth" opportunities.
God has taken our marriage through more BIG changes with me "being handicapped." I'm learning to depend on my husband in new ways. We have had some good times of laughing, teasing & joking about "new" things that have been part of our relationship. At first, I had a hard time even getting myself dressed. Believe me, when things change from you adjusting your own clothes to your husband adjusting them for you, you just might say things you never thought you'd say. Being on pain meds probably contributed to me being less inhibited. Well, yeah, they did. But the "fun" has continued. We are more "free" with each other in our communication. There are ways to be honest without insulting when what you have to say can be taken wrong. We both understand better that the other isn't intending to hurt us.
We got a new puppy about the time I was starting to walk better. I also ended up with bronchitis and sat for about a month to keep from coughing. This took me backwards. I've struggled to not focus on being discouraged off & on since then. I have worked to be intentional about keeping my attitude positive. Some days are hard when the puppy has lots of "accidents." Or when we had to travel a lot when I was still in a lot of pain. I wanted to go most of the places we went; it was just hard. The hardest was looking for a new vehicle when our van was totalled by hitting a deer. Yes, the last year has had quite a few challenges. But, it's been good. Now, I mostly deal with sore muscles as I build them back up. This is one area where I really try to tell myself frequently that this is a good sign.
Lately, I've been thinking more & more about what & where God is taking us. I've really been seeing that He is preparing us for Him. What does that mean? Well, for one thing.... If God wants us to move or go forward in some area of ministry, we want to be ready to follow Him. To be ready to be the people that God created, who He has taken through challenges to grow us to be more effective for him. Learning to praise Him in EVERY circumstance. To model Him, so that others can find Him or grow in Him.
My life is different than I thought it would be at the age of 56. I know & understand some things that I didn't think I would. I also know that I have a lot to learn. I'm enjoying that journey.... How about you? Are you enjoying the journey of challenges? Or do you dread them coming/being in your life? I used to; I understand. I just know that I'm having fun as I learn to enjoy the things that are difficult.
God has taken our marriage through more BIG changes with me "being handicapped." I'm learning to depend on my husband in new ways. We have had some good times of laughing, teasing & joking about "new" things that have been part of our relationship. At first, I had a hard time even getting myself dressed. Believe me, when things change from you adjusting your own clothes to your husband adjusting them for you, you just might say things you never thought you'd say. Being on pain meds probably contributed to me being less inhibited. Well, yeah, they did. But the "fun" has continued. We are more "free" with each other in our communication. There are ways to be honest without insulting when what you have to say can be taken wrong. We both understand better that the other isn't intending to hurt us.
We got a new puppy about the time I was starting to walk better. I also ended up with bronchitis and sat for about a month to keep from coughing. This took me backwards. I've struggled to not focus on being discouraged off & on since then. I have worked to be intentional about keeping my attitude positive. Some days are hard when the puppy has lots of "accidents." Or when we had to travel a lot when I was still in a lot of pain. I wanted to go most of the places we went; it was just hard. The hardest was looking for a new vehicle when our van was totalled by hitting a deer. Yes, the last year has had quite a few challenges. But, it's been good. Now, I mostly deal with sore muscles as I build them back up. This is one area where I really try to tell myself frequently that this is a good sign.
Lately, I've been thinking more & more about what & where God is taking us. I've really been seeing that He is preparing us for Him. What does that mean? Well, for one thing.... If God wants us to move or go forward in some area of ministry, we want to be ready to follow Him. To be ready to be the people that God created, who He has taken through challenges to grow us to be more effective for him. Learning to praise Him in EVERY circumstance. To model Him, so that others can find Him or grow in Him.
My life is different than I thought it would be at the age of 56. I know & understand some things that I didn't think I would. I also know that I have a lot to learn. I'm enjoying that journey.... How about you? Are you enjoying the journey of challenges? Or do you dread them coming/being in your life? I used to; I understand. I just know that I'm having fun as I learn to enjoy the things that are difficult.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Connection to Facebook - My Blogs
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/44706-share-your-blogs?utm_medium=api&utm_source=group_widget" style="font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color: #666600;font-size:14px;">Share your Blogs!'s bookshelf: read</a> <br style="clear:both"/>
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<h3>Books we've read</h3>
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